Pubdate: Mon, 21 Apr 2014
Source: Trentonian, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Trenton Trentonian
Contact: http://www.trentonian.ca/letters
Website: http://www.trentonian.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2611
Page: A3
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?420 (Cannabis - Popular)

NJ WEEDMAN, OTHERS LIGHT UP NEAR STATEHOUSE

TRENTON (AP) - Dozens of activists and community members have gathered
at the steps of the New Jersey Statehouse to show their support for
legalizing marijuana.

Several speakers urged the crowd of about 150 people to push state and
federal lawmakers to legalize or decriminalize marijuana. They also
urged them to vote out those who oppose those ideas and criticized
drug sentencing laws, which they claim unfairly target minorities.

The rally organized by Ed Forchion, also known to many as NJ Weedman
was one of many similar rallies held nationwide marking the
traditional pot holiday of April 20, a day for marijuana activists to
defiantly light up to protest the drug being outlawed.

"On this family day (of Easter), think of how many people are in a
cage due to a plant," Forchion said, drawing loud applause from the
crowd. His comments came after he led participants on a march through
downtown Trenton that included a stop at the federal courthouse.

Supporters also called on Gov. Chris Christie to stop "interfering"
with the state's medical marijuana program and instead do what he can
to help patients.

"So many people are suffering needlessly" said Ken Wolski, director of
the Coalition for Medical Marijuana of New Jersey. He noted that
research has found that various strains of marijuana help with
different conditions and symptoms, such as controlling or easing
nausea and pain.

Among those in attendance at the rally was Jawara McIntosh, the
youngest son of noted Reggae musician and promarijuana activist Peter
Tosh.

McIntosh, who performed his father's song "Legalize It," is awaiting
trial on charges he possessed more than 25 pounds of marijuana.
Authorities say the drugs were found following a June 2013 traffic
stop.

Forchion and the crowd were careful not to light up on state property,
however and moved the entire protest across the street, at which point
the crowd lit up in unison.
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